SWISS LEADER EXPECTS STAB IN BACK FROM GERMANY.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 14236, 2 March 1917, Page 9

SWISS LEADER EX PECTS ST AB IN BACK FROM GERMANY.

CONCENTRATION OF LARGE BODIES OF TEUTONTC TROOPS. LONDON, January 19. More Swiss soldier s are being called to th© colors and serious attention is being paid by military ex|.erts to tho possibility of a German violation of the neutrality of •Switzerland., Tlie concentration of large German ' forces m the negion of Lake Constance gives color to this impression, and is strengthened by the fact that Switzerland hee just mobilised the entire second army division, and all those portions of the fifth division which have not previously been called to guard the frontier. It is significant that these troops are being sent to the line near Lake Constaaicc. The Swiss, newspapers, according to a Geneva despatch, says the Swiss general staff is convinced, that the Gerinaois aro planning an invasion of Switzerland to clear tho French out of Alsace. The papers declare' that great masses of German troops hav 0 been, seen moving into positions near Basle, Avhich is on Lake Constance. Switzerland undoubtedly is well, prepared to resist Vigorously if any invasion is attempted. Some, observers profess to see a ! Swiss connection m last night official statement from Paris reporting "rather serious" artillery duels m the Vosges and Lorraire. An attempt to throw back tho French right wing probably would be made simultaneously with a drive against Switzerland. PARIS, January 19. / General Ulrich Wille, commander of the Swiss Army, wishes to mobilise all Switzerland's military forces, according to a Berne despatch to the Petit Pari■sien. Tho Federal, Council is said to re gard such ai measure as excessive and to have decided to mobilise only the second and fifth division^, but it is considered not improbable' that further units will be called to the colors. ROME. January 19. The announcement of Switzerland's new military measures Xo guard, her frontiers produced a deep impression here, since it was at first regarded as indicating that the Federal Government was apprehensive of a chaise m the war situation of which tho general pub lie had had np warning. In an interview here tlio Swiss Minister said : "The measures adopted by my conntry, have as their only object the further assurance of its neutrality through a declaration of its readiness to defend ;it with force against any attempt at violation." .' i, • X The action of the Swiss Government is taken here as indicating the belief that the most violent and perhaps the most decisive conflict of the war is at hand.